Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Services in Fort Collins, Colorado
Steady, Supportive Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Care in Fort Collins
You might be holding a lot right now. Maybe anxiety keeps you on edge, your mood feels flat, or you are so burnt out that even small tasks feel heavy. You might lie awake at night, replaying the day and wondering if things will ever feel easier. You may also be juggling care from a therapist and a primary care provider or psychiatrist to manage your mental health and medications. Working with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner can streamline your mental health care plan, supporting you more holistically and reducing stress, which is the whole point!
Here at Woodswalk Counseling, psychiatric nurse practitioner services are one part of a larger, holistic approach to mental health care. Our psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is trained to evaluate symptoms, diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and manage medications, and provide supportive, skills-based therapy. This means you can explore both therapy and medication options in one place, with a provider who considers the whole picture rather than just one symptom at a time.
We offer psychiatric nurse practitioner services for teens and adults in Fort Collins and across Colorado through secure telehealth. Clients often come to us for support with anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress and burnout, sleep problems, and the emotional impact of health changes or big life transitions. Care is holistic and person-centered. Together, we look at your history, current stressors, strengths, and goals, then build a plan. We can support you with a variety of skills that might include medication management, CBT, and DBT approaches, and lifestyle strategies that fit your life and unique needs and circumstances
You can meet with us in person in Fort Collins or online from anywhere in Colorado. If you are unsure where to start, you are welcome to reach out with questions or schedule a new client session to explore the support options we have at Woodswalk.
What Is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?
A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is a medical provider who specializes in mental health care. This type of clinician completes advanced nursing training that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions across the lifespan. PMHNPs can evaluate your symptoms, provide a working diagnosis, prescribe and manage psychiatric medications when needed, and offer supportive psychotherapy.
​
Training, Role, and Focus
A psychiatric nurse practitioner is trained to pay attention to both your mental and physical health. They consider how sleep, hormones, medical conditions, and stress interact with mood and anxiety. This training supports a whole-person view of care. Rather than seeing you as only a diagnosis or a list of symptoms, your provider is interested in who you are, what you have lived through, and what feeling better would actually look like in your daily life.
PMHNPs often work alongside therapists, primary care providers, and psychiatrists. At Woodswalk Counseling, our psychiatric nurse practitioner services are designed to complement ongoing therapy. If you already see one of our therapists or a therapist in the community, we can collaborate with your permission so that your medication plan and your therapy work move in the same direction.
​
How This Fits With Your Care
Some clients meet with us because they are curious about medication and want a thoughtful conversation instead of a rushed appointment. Others have taken medication before and want a more collaborative approach. Our goal is to provide compassionate, nonjudgmental care that is grounded in evidence-based practice and shaped by your input.
If you already have a therapist, we are happy to coordinate care and keep your psychiatric nurse practitioner services aligned with the work you are doing in therapy. You can learn more about our counseling team on our Therapists page.
Medication Management Services in Fort Collins and Across Colorado
Medication can be a helpful tool in mental health care, although it is rarely the whole story. Our medication management services in Fort Collins and through telehealth across Colorado are designed to help you decide, with support, whether medication is right for you, and to ensure you feel guided and informed at every step.
A Thoughtful Approach to Psychiatric Medications
During your first appointment, your psychiatric provider will take time to understand your symptoms, history, previous treatment experiences, and current stressors. Together, you discuss what you are noticing in your mood, focus, sleep, energy, and relationships. You also explore your preferences, past medication trials if you have had them, and any concerns or hopes you have about medication.
If medication seems like a good option, we talk clearly about the benefits, possible side effects, and what to expect in the first few weeks. Medications we commonly work with may include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, ADHD medications, and sleep-related medications when appropriate. There is space to ask every question you have, and you are never pushed into a decision that does not feel right.
Follow Up, Safety,
and Support
Medication management services include ongoing follow-up visits where we check in on how you are feeling, monitor side effects, and adjust the plan as needed. Your provider will ask about changes in your day-to-day life, what feels easier, and what is still hard. The goal is to find a dose and combination that supports your functioning and well-being, not to simply add more medications.
You can access medication management services in person in Fort Collins or through secure video visits anywhere in Colorado. If you are interested in how telehealth works in our practice, you can visit our Why Telehealth page for more information about privacy, convenience, and what sessions are like online.
Holistic Psychiatric Care for Individuals of All Ages
Psychiatric nurse practitioner services at Woodswalk Counseling are grounded in the belief that healing happens when the whole person is seen. Medication, if used, is one piece of care. Just as important are your coping skills, support system, nervous system, and sense of meaning.
Integrating Medication Management and Therapy Skills
Our psychiatric nurse practitioner services blend medication management with supportive, skills-based therapy informed by CBT and DBT. In sessions, you might explore patterns in your thoughts, learn tools for managing strong emotions, practice setting boundaries, or problem-solve around sleep, energy, and self-care. When medication is part of your plan, these skills help you use that support well instead of relying on medication alone.
Care is collaborative and flexible. Together, we review what is helping and what feels off, then adjust medications, strategies, or both so that your treatment stays aligned with your goals. This approach can be especially helpful if you have tried medication before and felt like it did not address the bigger picture of your life.
Support for Teens, Adults, and Caregivers
We welcome teens and adults, including caregivers and helping professionals who are experiencing burnout or compassion fatigue. Many of the people we work with are used to taking care of everyone else, and psychiatric nurse practitioner services can offer a space that is just for you.
Your provider will pay attention to your identities, lived experience, and values, including the communities you are part of in Fort Collins and across Colorado. Our aim is to create a setting where you feel truly seen and heard, and where your care is shaped with you, not done to you. If you already work with a therapist at Woodswalk Counseling or elsewhere, we can coordinate care to keep everyone on the same page.
Holistic Psychiatric Care for Individuals of All Ages
People seek psychiatric nurse practitioner services for many different reasons. You do not need a certain diagnosis or level of “severity” to deserve support. If what you are carrying feels heavy, confusing, or relentless, that is enough.
Mood, Anxiety, and Focus
Depression and Persistent Low Mood
We support clients who live with major depressive disorder and ongoing low mood, whether that shows up as feeling numb, hopeless, disconnected, or simply not like yourself. We pay attention to your energy, motivation, sleep, and sense of enjoyment, then use a mix of CBT and DBT skills, lifestyle strategies, and medication management when it makes sense.
Anxiety, Worry, and Panic
Anxiety can look like constant worry, social anxiety that makes connection feel hard, or panic attacks that seem to come out of nowhere. Psychiatric nurse practitioner services at Woodswalk Counseling offer a place to understand what fuels your anxiety, explore medication options if appropriate, and build concrete tools for calming your nervous system, shifting unhelpful thought patterns, and feeling more grounded in daily life.
ADHD and Concentration Challenges
ADHD and focus difficulties can make school, work, and everyday tasks feel incredibly frustrating. We help you look at your attention, organization, and executive functioning through a compassionate lens. Care may include ADHD medication management, skills for planning and follow through, and strategies for setting up your environment so it works with your brain instead of against it.
For mood, anxiety, and focus concerns, treatment often includes looking closely at sleep, routines, self-talk, and nervous system regulation, along with any medication options that fit your needs and values.
Stress, Burnout, and Life Transitions
Meet Your Therapist
Your first session is a chance to get to know your therapist and begin building a comfortable connection. You can ask questions, share what brought you to counseling, and start setting the tone for your work together.
Decide How You Want Sessions to Look and Feel
You have a say in how therapy flows. Together, you and your therapist will choose a pace, structure, and approach that feels manageable and supportive for you.
Talk About Your Goals and What You Hope to Gain
You and your therapist will explore what you want to focus on, whether it is reducing anxiety, navigating life transitions, or understanding your patterns more clearly. These goals help guide and keep sessions centered on your needs.
Book Your Free 15 Minute Consult Today!
Don't wait, get started on your healing journey with Woodswalk Counseling.
Stress and
Overwhelm
Many clients come to us carrying ongoing stress that never seems to let up. You might feel constantly on edge, like you cannot relax even when you have time off. Psychiatric nurse practitioner services can give you space to name what is happening, understand how chronic stress affects your body and brain, and begin to create patterns that feel more sustainable.
Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
Burnout is especially common among healthcare workers and other helping professionals. If you spend most of your energy caring for others, it can be hard to notice your own needs until you feel completely depleted. In our work together, we explore how burnout shows up for you, support your nervous system, and consider whether medication might give you enough relief to start rebuilding your life in a more sustainable way.
Navigating Major Life Changes
We also support clients through life transitions and health changes, such as shifts in caregiving roles, new diagnoses, or changes in identity, relationships, or career. These transitions often bring mood changes, grief, and anxiety that deserve care. Treatment focuses on stabilizing symptoms while also honoring the meaning of what you are going through.For mood, anxiety, and focus concerns, treatment often includes looking closely at sleep, routines, self-talk, and nervous system regulation, along with any medication options that fit your needs and values.
Sleep, Health Changes, and “Not Bad Enough” Struggles
Sleep
Difficulties
Sleep difficulties are a very common reason people reach out for psychiatric nurse practitioner services. Trouble falling asleep, waking up often, or feeling unrefreshed can affect mood, focus, and overall health. We look at the patterns behind your sleep, consider medical and lifestyle factors, and explore options that might include sleep hygiene strategies, CBT-style tools for insomnia, and medication when appropriate.
Living With Health Changes
The emotional impact of medical conditions or health changes can be just as significant as the physical symptoms. We help you process the stress, grief, and uncertainty that may come with new diagnoses or chronic illness, while also attending to mood and anxiety with both therapeutic tools and medication management when needed.
When Things Feel “Not Bad Enough”
You might not see your experience on a checklist, or you might worry that what you are going through is “not bad enough” to ask for help. If your mind feels heavy, scattered, or stuck, that is reason enough to explore support. We will look at your symptoms, habits, and stressors, then build a practical, sustainable plan that matches your life rather than a one-size-fits-all script.
What to Expect From Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Services at Woodswalk Counseling
Knowing what to expect can make reaching out feel less overwhelming. Psychiatric nurse practitioner services at Woodswalk Counseling follow a clear process that leaves plenty of room for your questions and preferences.
Your First Appointment
In your initial visit, your provider will ask about what brings you in, your history with mental health and medical concerns, your current medications or supplements, and your goals for care. You are invited to move at a pace that feels safe. There is no pressure to share everything at once.
You’ll review what you hope will change with your provider. Then the provider will offer recommendations, which might include medication options, talk therapy, lifestyle strategies, or a blend of these. You can talk through any suggestions until they make sense and feel comfortable.
Ongoing Care and Follow-Up
Follow-up appointments focus on how you are doing, both emotionally and physically. We check in on symptoms, side effects if you are taking medication, and the impact of any new skills or changes in daily routines. The tone of sessions is collaborative and structured, with regular check-ins on what is working and what is not, so your care can shift as your life shifts.
Sessions are available in person at our Fort Collins office and via secure video from anywhere in Colorado. Telehealth psychiatric care can be a good fit if you have a busy schedule, live outside the Front Range, or simply prefer the comfort of home. To learn more about how online care works in our practice, you can visit our Why Telehealth page.
How Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Services Fit Within Woodswalk Counseling
Psychiatric nurse practitioner services are one part of Woodswalk Counseling’s commitment to accessible, flexible, and personal mental health care across Colorado.
​
For many clients, the most effective support comes from a blend of therapy and psychiatric care. At Woodswalk Counseling, our psychiatric nurse practitioner works alongside therapists who specialize in many areas, including trauma recovery, neurodiversity, new parent support, and more common concerns like anxiety and depression.
​
If you already see a therapist in our practice, we can collaborate internally so your medication plan and therapy work reinforce each other. If you work with a therapist outside of Woodswalk Counseling, we can coordinate with your consent, which helps create a consistent, unified approach instead of having your care split between separate providers.
​
This collaborative model means you do not have to carry the responsibility of translating your story from one office to another. We work together so your care feels connected and clear.
How Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Services Fit Within Woodswalk Counseling
Psychiatric nurse practitioner services are one part of Woodswalk Counseling’s commitment to accessible, flexible, and personal mental health care across Colorado.
For many clients, the most effective support comes from a blend of therapy and psychiatric care. At Woodswalk Counseling, our psychiatric nurse practitioner works alongside therapists who specialize in many areas, including trauma recovery, neurodiversity, new parent support, and more common concerns like anxiety and depression.
If you already see a therapist in our practice, we can collaborate internally so your medication plan and therapy work reinforce each other. If you work with a therapist outside of Woodswalk Counseling, we can coordinate with your consent, which helps create a consistent, unified approach instead of having your care split between separate providers.
This collaborative model means you do not have to carry the responsibility of translating your story from one office to another. We work together so your care feels connected and clear.
Statewide Support From Fort Collins
Woodswalk Counseling was created with the mission to make quality therapy and psychiatric care accessible for people throughout Colorado, including rural communities and busy urban centers. From our base in Fort Collins, we offer in-person services and secure telehealth sessions that reach clients from Denver to Grand Junction and the eastern plains.
Whether you are looking for counseling, psychiatric nurse practitioner services, or both, our goal is to create a steady, judgment-free space where you can explore what you are going through and move toward a life that feels more like you.
How to Get Started
Psychiatric nurse practitioner services at Woodswalk Counseling can help you move from feeling worn down and overwhelmed to feeling more steady, understood, and supported. With holistic medication management and a collaborative approach to care, you do not have to carry everything on your own. We meet you where you are.
You do not need to know yet whether medication is right for you. Part of our work together is exploring options, answering questions, and respecting your pace and preferences. If something in this page resonates, it may be a good time to take the next small step toward support.
Or, if you are not quite ready to schedule, you can get in touch with our practice to ask questions about psychiatric nurse practitioner services, medication management, telehealth, or working with our broader therapy team.